Dating A Cougar by Donna McDonald Page B

despite the family complications of Jenna and Seth, and had somehow charmed Sydney in the process of trying to woo her.
    The fact that he wanted their sex life to be on his terms was intriguing, but it didn’t worry Regina. She knew Alexa would change the situation as soon as she stopped fighting her feelings for the man.
    “Alexa, I bet you didn’t even sleep last night for thinking about being with Casey,” Regina said kindly, sympathetic to anyone who struggled with desire.
    Alexa didn’t answer. She picked up the wine and drank.
    “I’ve wanted other men I didn’t end up sleeping with,” she said quietly.
    Regina and Lauren exchanged a look.
    “I think you should go for it,” Lauren said, waving her hand to emphasize. “It’s been a long time since you had a man in your life, Alexa.”
    “This from a woman who hasn’t had a sexual relationship—with a man—in what? Six or seven years?” Alexa asked, incredulous it was Lauren encouraging her to indulge.
    Lauren lifted a shoulder and waved a hand in the air.
    “I have a good instinct about Casey. Any guy who wants to be friends before he sleeps with you is at least worth getting to know. I mean, aren’t you curious about why he wants to friends first? That’s not typical,” Lauren said wisely.
    Regina laughed, totally delighted with Lauren. For the first time in a while, she was hopeful for both her friends, and maybe even for herself.
    “Now don’t faint, Alexa—but, well I’m agreeing with Lauren on this one. Casey sounds intriguing, definitely worth getting to know. Of course, it’s understandable if you think you’d be more comfortable with someone older.”
    Regina used her toe to nudge Lauren’s leg under the table. “I mean, if you want a man more your own age, I guess Lauren or I could set you up with someone who could take your mind off the fire Casey seems to have lit in you.”
    Lauren picked up the hint without missing a beat. “I know several men, and they certainly wouldn’t be intimidated by your success—at least not much.”
    Alexa looked between the two women, irritation in her eyes, posture, and the set of her mouth. She tossed back her hair and glared until both of them laughed.
    “This is only about Casey,” Alexa said tightly.
    “You know, it’s good to see you heated up about a guy again, Alexa. I’ve been worried about you,” Regina went back to her food, happy at least one of her friends was taking chances and really living.
    Lauren leaned forward to Alexa, not able to hold in her excitement about it all. “We can see you have it bad for Casey, honey. It’s all over you. Just do him, and then come back and tell us how great it was. Regina and I can date vicariously through you.”
    Regina dropped her fork and had to scramble to keep it on the table.
    “ Do him ? Did you just tell Alexa to do him ?” Regina burst out laughing at Lauren’s enthusiastic nod. “Wow, I’m speechless, Lauren.”
    “Alexa is inspiring me,” Lauren said, dreamy-eyed over imagining Casey demanding he and Alexa become friends. It was such a romantic thing for a guy to do, especially a guy who was much younger than the woman he wanted.
    “ Do him ?” Alexa repeated the phrase, all too easily imagining herself being with Casey. Her frustration level grew with every fantasy she allowed herself.
    She came back to reality again when Regina’s and Lauren’s laughter became loud enough to draw the attention of everyone sitting around them. Alexa’s face flushed as she realized she had drifted away on them like she did with Sydney. Fantasizing about Casey was addictive.
    “Fine,” she said. “I don’t think I have a choice anyway. Just cross your fingers Jenna doesn’t find out and kill me.”

Chapter 8
    While Alexa was having dinner across town, Casey was in the kitchen of Seth’s condo loading the dishwasher for the third time, trying to escape the crowded living room and the press of bodies everywhere. Though Seth had said